The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has created a journalism scholarship honoring Ralph Langer, who was a guiding light as the foundation became the state’s leading voice on transparency and the First Amendment.
The $6,000 scholarship is awarded to a journalism or photojournalism undergraduate student attending a Texas college or university. The inaugural Langer scholarship has been awarded to Brianna Chavez of Texas State University for the 2023-24 academic year. The FOIFT scholarship committee also awarded a discretionary scholarship of $1,500 to Mackenzie Matwick of the University of Texas at Austin for the 2023-24 school year.
Langer, who died in August 2021 at age 84, was executive editor and vice president of The Dallas Morning News before his retirement in the late 1990s. He guided The News to six Pulitzer Prizes during his tenure. He was a longtime president of the nonprofit FOI Foundation of Texas and served as the founding president of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. He continued to support the FOI Foundation of Texas by serving on the board of the FOI Supporting Foundation board until he passed away.
Kathy Langer, his wife of 61 years and a dedicated volunteer with the FOI Foundation, has provided leadership and a generous contribution to launch the memorial scholarship. Of utmost importance when an FOI committee selects the scholarship recipient will be the student’s passion for news and the public’s right to know. Photos can also show that passion, she noted.
Eligible Applicants: Undergraduate students attending a Texas college or university majoring in journalism or photojournalism. Financial need is not a determining factor in selection of the scholarship recipient but may be considered.
Scholarship amount: $6,000
Deadline to apply: Feb. 20, 2024, for the 2024-25 academic year.
Process: Applicants must submit the FOIFT scholarship application, their resume and an essay explaining their interest in journalism and/or photojournalism and why they are applying. Enrollment will be verified by the FOI Foundation of Texas executive director. Scholarship money will be paid directly by FOIFT to the school to apply to tuition and fees.
Essay instructions: Provide a written essay of 500 words maximum about your reasons for pursuing a degree in journalism or photojournalism, including career goals and how you are preparing for that career.
NOTE: If you experience a problem submitting the application through the online form, please send your application information including attachments directly to FOIFT executive editor Kelley Shannon via email at [email protected].